The position of the HR Business Partner has evolved as one of four strategic roles in the book by Dave Ulrich. This book is like the Bible of Human Resources. All HR leaders quickly introduced the model where Human Resources was expected to act as the partner of business leaders. It introduced some chaos into our world because the change was more painful than anticipated in the beginning. Some twenty years later, we have another challenge. We aim to introduce the model of the HR strategic partnership.

The HR Business Partner is a great job; a person in the role can see the positive impact of Human Resources on the organization. She manages and executes critical HR policies and procedures in the close collaboration with internal clients. Also, she shares the responsibility – goals and objectives are the same for the internal customer and the business partner. It all started with the introduction of the business oriented Human Resources function that keeps employees in mind. HR can never be purely business driven; it has to protect the rights and interests of the workforce.

Moreover, David Ulrich also introduced a new HR competency model. He introduced six essential HR competencies that every successful HR professional has to fulfill. They are strategic positioner, credible activist, capability builder, change champion, innovator and technology proponent. Each competency is a game changer in Human Resources because it puts the people management practices into a different perspective.

Dave Ulrich changed the passive approach into the active one. He apparently expected HR Managers to become agile promoters of positive shifts in the organization. It was a significant shift in the mindset of HR leaders. Many of them fight with this new role so far. They want to keep the secure compliance position of the department. Being the change agent you have to take and accept risks. You can fail. On the other hand you can win a lot.

The another significant game changer was a dramatic change of the business environment. The globalization (it is also the HR challenges) and the speed of innovations have increased the pressure on leadership teams. They have to predict moves of many competitors; they have to focus on building loyal customer base. They have to allow employees use the creativity.

As a result, leaders have changed their expectations from Human Resources departments. The proactive approach is a must; the competitive advantage is a benefit. The pressure to introduce innovative HR processes and procedures has increased dramatically. Nowaday, we usually call it the HR transformation. The strategic partnership became a new HR buzzword.

We had to return to the six strategic competencies as they were defined by Dave Ulrich. They are the core strengths behind the strategic partnership between HR managers and business leaders. It makes a significant difference – the proactive approach and the business acumen.

The HR organization is at a crossing again. The transformation to the strategic partner is not just about rewriting the job title. It is about a new vision of Human Resources. It is also about another upgrade of skills and competencies.

The HR Manager needs to be proactive to become the member of the strategic planning group. Most organizations have informal groups of employees who decide about the future of the business. The HR professionals have to become the vital member of the core team. No organization has the future without great people management practices.

HR leaders have to make a difficult choice. The road to the future is bumpy. It will not be an easy transformation for most HR employees. They will have to gain new skills and competencies, again. They will have to build trustful strategic partnership with internal clients. They will have to provoke many discussions how the business can enrich its practices. They will have to stand behind their words. It will be a painful period but the new and better HR function will raise.

Human Resources is one of the most trendy business functions, and having a job in the HR department offers many great career opportunities. In the past, the job was purely administrative, but it changed dramatically and the function has moved into a strategic role. Having a seat in the board room, the HR Managers have the full responsibility to develop the people management agenda in the organization. All the business success stories are about the people behing them. They are not about the processes, products and procedures. They are about the people who made them. They have built them from the ground or the Point Zero, and they are usually backed by a strong Human Resources function which cultivates the people management area. Is not a great opportunity to enjoy an awesome career?

Leaders transform organizations and HR Professionals lead business-wide initiatives. The modern World is a highly competitive place, and Human Resources makes a difference. The employees are the only source of a sustainable competitive advantage. A great Human Resources department makes a difference that pays. The HR function employs widely recognized HR Proffesionals, including HR Managers and HR Business Partners.

They understand the people in the company, and they can provide useful insights. Human Resources changed its focus from the pure supporting function into a strategic partner, and it shares the full responsibility with the entire leadership team. HR builds a sustainable business though the right people in the organization. It manages their development, retention and performance. It designs processes and procedures to keep them engaged and emotionally attached with the vision.

As the HR role shifted, the HR Leaders gained new challenging responsibilities. They became the most influential persons in the organizations. Jack Welch (former General Electric CEO) once said, the core team in the business consists from the Heads of Finance, Human Resources and the CEO. They set the people management vision, and HR Professionals deliver the strategic change. They keep the business competitive and attractive to top talents from the job market.

It is a great opportunity to start the career in Human Resources and be at the strategic change from the beginning. Helping to shape the people management vision and being responsible for its delivery.

Competitive and agile organization through special corporate culture

Be at the beginning of strategic decisions

Each strategic change starts with a small engaged team.

Human Resources Department is no longer the kingdom of administration. In modern organizations, it transformed itself from a pure service center into a commercial business function. Having a job in HR is a competitive advantage; it is not the option not to consider for fresh university graduates.

Influence the future and shape of the Business

Fast Track Career in Human Resources

each organization protects its most valuable assets huge investment into a personal growth increasing your value

Great Skills you can learn

behavioral recruitment skills induction of new hires and effective onboarding processes and procedures negotiation and influencing skills strategic thinking and planning strategy development and implementation

Great HR Career Path

degree in HR Management several ladders in Human Resources more than one specialization in HR Management